Nie Chongyang had been exposed to such things for quite some time, so when the little fox spoke, he understood and reacted immediately.
He subconsciously repeated, "Obsession?"
This was not a question, nor was he unaware of what the little fox was saying. It was merely an unconscious utterance, and at the same time, he was already thinking, trying to categorize it.
Nie Chongyang said, "If we think in this direction, then these existences in this place are not as terrifying as imagined."
The little fox nodded and said, "If the guess is not wrong, then that is indeed the case."
Perhaps, finding out how these things were formed and why they appeared here would be of great help in understanding this place and eventually leaving.
In this strange place, there were indeed many hidden pieces of information that they had not yet uncovered.
Given that the innkeeper had already said that nothing would happen even if they didn't help Lin Yanqin find her ruby pendant, and that everything would return to peace after seven days.
However, after considering it, Ye Tiancheng and the others finally decided that it would be best to investigate further. They couldn't possibly do nothing.
Moreover, if they didn't, they would truly gain nothing.
Ye Tiancheng and the others did not rush to turn back and find Lin Yanqin, nor were they that urgent. They decided to discuss it privately before taking action.
Besides, they had already refused her, saying they couldn't help for the moment. If they were to offer help again in a short while, it would not be reasonable. Lin Yanqin was not without her own consciousness and ability to think, so doing so would be inappropriate.
Since they had already made a guess, the most important thing was naturally to verify it.
In this regard, the little fox was even more skilled.
They were not in a hurry to help Lin Yanqin find her item, so they let the little fox go and investigate everywhere first, examining various traces and auras in the inn to determine what power was at play in the current situation and what caused it.
This could also help them better deduce Lin Yanqin's identity and what kind of existence she was.
This exploration work was left to the little fox and Nie Chongyang. Nie Chongyang could help the little fox maintain vigilance, and then the little fox could devote all his energy to the investigation.
Ye Tiancheng and Liang Ping returned to their rooms, mainly to organize clues.
This division of labor was the same as when they played games.
The little fox and Nie Chongyang went out for most of the day. When they returned, Ye Tiancheng noticed that the little fox's emotions were a bit complex.
So, Ye Tiancheng took the initiative to ask the little fox, "What's wrong? You went out and discovered something, but your emotions seem a bit off?"
The little fox was still a bit dazed. Hearing Ye Tiancheng's question, he paused slightly before reacting to answer Ye Tiancheng.
He stroked his chin, showing a thoughtful expression.
The little fox said, "This trip out, it can't be said that there was no gain. In fact, it can be said that at least the events that happened here, the special events mentioned by the innkeeper, I can basically understand."
"There are no major questions, I just feel... a bit coincidental?"
Ye Tiancheng asked, puzzled, "What coincidence?"
The little fox explained to Ye Tiancheng, "I have indeed figured out what happened here, and it's not very troublesome to explain."
"Roughly speaking, that Lin Yanqin is actually a residual soul, with a bit of the nature of an earthbound spirit, but not entirely. However, her obsession is deep, which supports her in repeatedly repeating the things she cannot let go of, cycling through them here."
Ye Tiancheng found the little fox's statement a bit strange and asked, "What do you mean, 'a bit of the nature of an earthbound spirit, but not entirely'?"
The little fox said, "Because of obsession, obsession makes her fall into a cycle here, unable to leave. In a sense, this is a restraint. However, conventional earthbound spirits are often trapped in the place where they died. This point, however, is different from Lin Yanqin's situation."
Ye Tiancheng drew a conclusion from the little fox's narration.
"This sounds... abnormal."
The little fox nodded affirmatively and continued, "It is indeed abnormal, and I went to ask the innkeeper again. Although I haven't had the chance to verify it yet, if my guesses and judgments are not wrong."
"Then, the 'special events' that have occurred in this place called Xiaojing City, barring any accidents, should all be similar events."
"And this place will amplify and boost the power of these residual souls, which means that even if we know the principle and understand what happened, we only have two choices."
"First, either actively solve the problem and fulfill the unfulfilled obsessions of these residual souls, and some residual souls are extremely dangerous and cannot be communicated with."
"Second, either we can only wait. Anyway, after the cycle time passes, these residual souls are usually unable to manifest."
Ye Tiancheng couldn't help but frown after hearing the little fox's narration.
"Even so, the obsessions of these residual souls should have nothing to do with this so-called Xiaojing City, right? Then why are they all appearing here and falling into an endless cycle in Xiaojing City?"
"What kind of person would do this, and be able to do such a thing?"
This answer, for now, none of them could guess.
The little fox shook his head at Ye Tiancheng and said, "I can't guess who specifically did this. I really can't imagine what kind of person would collect so many residual souls with deep obsessions and trap them in one place."
"Moreover, he not only did not use these residual souls, consume them, and absorb their power and the power of obsession himself, but instead used his own power to amplify them, allowing them to survive and remain active and cycling in this Xiaojing City."
"What benefit does doing such a thing bring to the person behind it?"
The little fox paused slightly at this point.
Suddenly, he spoke, and the little fox said, "However, I don't know what benefit this matter brings to the person behind Xiaojing City, but I do know that this matter is of great benefit to me."
"Hmm?"
Ye Tiancheng was momentarily confused, but soon he remembered something very important.
The little fox was right. Regarding the guess about residual souls, this matter was indeed of great benefit to the little fox. What the little fox currently lacked the most was something that could only be obtained through these residual souls.
Moreover, to obtain it, these residual souls had to be willing.
In this situation, the best way for the little fox was to help them fulfill their obsessions.
Ye Tiancheng immediately said, "That's right, I almost forgot. Your previous problem, little fox, was very troublesome and difficult to solve. This is a golden opportunity."
He pondered as he spoke.
"If that's the case, if this fact is indeed verified, we shouldn't rush to leave. Perhaps we should stay for a while longer. It will be difficult to encounter such a good opportunity again."
Nie Chongyang and Liang Ping, who were beside them, exchanged glances.
Ye Tiancheng also looked at them and said, "Of course, we still need to find a way out as quickly as possible. If the two of us, the little fox and I, get delayed here for a while, it won't be a big deal."
"However, it's different for you two. If this matter is decided, the little fox and I will definitely send you two out first. You still have a lot of work outside and very important matters to handle."
"It's already not easy to accompany us and be delayed for so long. We can't delay you any further."
After hearing Ye Tiancheng's words, Nie Chongyang waved his hand.
He said, "There's no need to force it. We can afford to delay for this amount of time. Everything should prioritize the important matters and the current real situation."
Ye Tiancheng said, "Specific situations require specific analysis. I understand, I understand."
Nie Chongyang said, "The most important thing now is to confirm the little fox's conjecture. If the situation here is really as we think, then it's a good thing. If it's truly beneficial to the little fox, then we will be relieved after we leave, knowing your situation, and won't have to worry too much. We can also help you arrange matters outside."
The little fox said gratefully to Nie Chongyang, "Thank you so much. You've really helped us a lot."
Nie Chongyang waved his hand.
He said, "These things are mutual. We are all the same. You have also helped us a lot. What is this little help compared to that?"
"Moreover, we've known each other for so long. Thanking each other for such small matters makes us strangers."
The few of them no longer pushed each other.
With this settled, they were going to try to resolve the special event at this inn.
Ye Tiancheng and the other three rested for a while, ate, and happened to meet Lin Yanqin walking in the hotel corridor outside the inn. They took the initiative to greet Lin Yanqin and strike up a conversation.
Lin Yanqin saw Ye Tiancheng and the others greeting her and immediately returned the greeting.
Ye Tiancheng and the others quickly told her not to be so polite. Finally, Ye Tiancheng, as the representative of the group, stepped forward to talk to Lin Yanqin.
Ye Tiancheng said to Lin Yanqin, "Have you found your pendant yet?"
When Lin Yanqin heard Ye Tiancheng ask, she indeed responded very actively and replied to Ye Tiancheng, "Not yet. I don't know what happened. I woke up this morning and couldn't find it. I looked everywhere, but I didn't see it."
"How could it be lost? I remember taking it off my neck before I went to sleep and putting it under my pillow. I don't know how it disappeared..."
Lin Yanqin's expression looked very anxious.
Ye Tiancheng said to comfort her, "Don't be too anxious. Maybe it fell into some tricky place and you just haven't found it yet. Don't be too anxious."
"How about this, if you really can't find it, we are willing to help you keep an eye out. We will definitely find it."
Lin Yanqin's eyes immediately welled up with tears, and she said gratefully, "That's great. I don't know how to thank you. That ruby pendant is really important to me. I can't lose it."
Ye Tiancheng nodded slightly and said, "I understand."
Lin Yanqin gently wiped away her tears and then remembered something. She suddenly said to Ye Tiancheng, "By the way, I haven't exchanged names with you gentlemen yet. My surname is Lin, and my given name is Yanqin. May I know how I should address you gentlemen?"
Ye Tiancheng then introduced the few of them to her.